Private Equity Wire European Awards 2025

For more than a decade, Private Equity Wire has been recognising excellence in the fields of fundraising, portfolio performance, and service provision.

This year, we're bringing all our European awards together into one, stellar evening, where we will celebrate all those driving innovation, transformation and growth across the private markets landscape.

Don't miss out on our only European awards of the year!

An allocator board, peer surveys, editorial expertise, and data analysis go into selecting our winners, helping us build one of the industry’s most influential awards programmes.

On the night, which follows our flagship Private Capital European Summit 2025, we're expecting an exclusive gathering of C-suite leaders from the GP, LP, and service provider communities.

For Investors

Find out which GPs are outperforming across a range of AUM brackets, investment strategies and geographies. Learn who’s serving them most effectively.

For Managers

Put yourself on the radar of keen investors and meet service providers that can help your business grow and scale up effectively.

For Service Providers

Your chance to shine in front of the entire investor and manager community, while also tracking which firms and strategies are on the up.

Please provide a brief overview of your business (up to 100 words) and a compelling case in 250 words or fewer on why your service deserves an award for the period from January 2024 to December 2024.

You may also include a client testimonial to support your entry—this is optional but encouraged. Additionally, there’s an option to upload any supporting documents that might strengthen your submission. The below categories are open to European based only service providers.

Our judging panel will select the finalists. These will go to a public vote, and the top-voted providers will be used to support the decision of the judging panel. The judging panel's decision is final.

Please note that these awards are FREE to enter.

*Deadline to submit your entries is 20th December 2024*

AUDIT/ACCOUNTING

- Audit Firm of the Year: Start-up

The winning start-up audit firm in this category will be able to prove excellent customer satisfaction in the period under review. Consider case examples of initiatives that led to an exceptionally positive client impact.
To be considered a start-up, service providers will deal with funds that are 0-3 years old and with an AUM of up to $100m.

- Audit Firm of the Year: Middle Market

The winning middle-market audit firm in this category will be able to prove excellent customer satisfaction in the period under review. Consider case examples of initiatives that led to an exceptionally positive client impact.
To be considered middle-market, service providers should deal with funds that are 3-5 years old and with an AUM of up to $750million.

- Audit Firm of the Year: Overall

The winning overall audit firm in this category will be able to prove excellent customer satisfaction in the period under review. Consider case examples of initiatives that led to an exceptionally positive client impact.
To be considered overall winner of this category, service providers should deal with funds that are 5+ years old and with an AUM of over $1billion.

- Accounting & Fund Reporting Solution of the Year

Financial reporting is a critical function for fund managers. The winning service provider will have proven to excel in their support of clients with tasks such as administration, reporting, workflow and cash management.

- Fund Accounting & Reporting Software of the Year

This winning software solution will go to the firm that enhances accuracy, transparency, and efficiency in fund accounting and reporting processes for investment firms.

BANKING

CONSULTANCY

- Credit Consultant of the Year

The winning credit consultant will be able to give examples of how its experts have enabled fund managers to capitalise on one of the fastest growing asset classes in private markets – navigating higher competition for deals and finding the edge over other platforms.

- Managed Service Provider of the Year

This winning service provider will have the ability to deliver scalable, high-quality services that drive operational efficiency and client satisfaction.

- Technology Advisory Firm of the Year

This category will recognise a firm’s ability to provide strategic technology guidance, helping clients navigate digital transformation and enhance operational efficiency.

CUSTODIAN

DATA

- Data Management Solution of the Year

This winning firm provides technology that is both sturdy and scalable. Entrants should be able to outline how their platform increases efficiency and productivity for their clients.

- Data Provider of the Year: Credit

This winning service will excel in data management. Fund managers will be provided with a streamlined service that reduces the complexity involved in managing large volumes of credit data.

- Data Provider of the Year: Overall

This winning firm provides a platform that arms its clients with intelligence in a speedy and effective way. Entrants should provide information on what data type their organisation offers, and how this adds more value to fund managers than its competitors.

DEALS

- Deal Advisory Firm of the Year

The winning service provider will be able to show how its platform aids in helping clients make well informed investment decisions, whether this be through assessment, optimisation or evaluation of the market.

- Deal Origination Solution of the Year: Credit

Deal origination solutions are integral in generating leads for potential buyers, particularly in an increasingly competitive market. The winning solution will streamline the research and origination process and give managers access to high-value deals.

- Deal Origination Solution of the Year: Technology

- Research Solution of the Year

This award recognises excellence in delivering insights and data that support informed investment decision-making.

- Secondaries Platform of the Year

The winning service providers platform will excel in facilitating secondary market transactions, providing transparency, efficiency, and client satisfaction.

- Solution Provider of the Year: ODD

This winning service provider excels in operational due diligence, helping firms effectively assess and manage operational risks at the asset and portfolio level.

- Valuation Service of the Year

This award recognises excellence in delivering accurate, transparent valuations that support client decision-making and compliance.

ESG

- Advisory Firm of the Year: ESG

This winning ESG firm will go above and beyond to help their clients integrate ESG into their operations and decision-making. Through strategic or transactional support, this service provider will be integral in helping clients achieve their sustainability goals and meet investor demands.

- Data Provider of the Year: ESG

The winning entrant will be able to demonstrate their ability to manage the vast amounts of data in the ESG universe, and streamline the process to reduce the burden on managers and portfolio companies, while staying focused on the metrics that matter most.

- Fund Administrator of the Year: ESG

The winning entrant will be able to demonstrate their ability to manage the intensifying expectations in the ESG universe, and streamline the process to reduce the burden on managers and portfolio companies, while staying focused on the metrics that matter most.

- Ratings Provider of the Year: ESG

The winning service provider will be able to show excellence in delivering accurate, comprehensive ESG evaluations that empower clients to make responsible, impact-driven investment decisions.

- Solution Provider of the Year: ESG

This category recognises a solution provider that offers innovative ESG-focused services, empowering clients to achieve their sustainability goals and meet investor demands.

FUND ADMINISTRATOR

- Fund Administrator of the Year: GP's over $30billion

This award will recognise fund administrator’s ability to effectively service and scale with large general partners managing portfolios exceeding $30 billion.

- Fund Administrator of the Year: GP's under $30billion

This award will recognise fund administrator’s ability to effectively service and scale with general partners managing portfolios under $30 billion.

- Fund Administrator of the Year: Private Credit

This category will reward expertise and performance in servicing private credit funds, with an emphasis on accuracy, transparency, and client satisfaction.

- Fund Administrator of the Year: Technology

The winning service provider in this category will be able to showcase that it's cutting-edge technology has streamlined operations, enhanced transparency, and supported overall client success.

- Fund Administrator of the Year: Overall

This award is open to fund administrators of any size. Entrants should show outstanding performance, demonstrating best-in-class services, scalability, and innovation across a broad range of client needs.

- Solution Provider of the Year: ManCo

This award celebrates a management company solution that excels in providing governance, compliance, and risk management services, supporting client success.

FUND FINANCING

FUNDRASINING/INVESTOR RELATIONS

INSURANCE SOLUTION

LAW FIRM

- Law Firm of the Year: Fund Domicile

This award will celebrate a law firm’s expertise in fund domicile selection, providing legal guidance that optimises jurisdictional benefits for clients.

- Law Firm of the Year: Fund Structuring

The winning law firm in this category will have proven excellence in fund structuring, helping clients navigate legal complexities to establish efficient, compliant fund structures.

- Law Firm of the Year: Lending and Securities

This award will celebrate a law firm’s expertise in lending and securities law. The winner will have proven critical guidance in navigating complex financial regulations.

- Law Firm of the Year: Transactions

The winning law firm in this category will show success in handling transactions, providing expert legal support to facilitate deal-making and transaction integrity.

- Law Firm of the Year: Overall

This award will celebrate the law firm that demonstrates excellence across various legal service areas. Entrants should show proven support of investment firms and comprehensive legal expertise.

PLACEMENT AGENT

PUBLIC RELATIONS

RATINGS

REGULATORY/COMPLIANCE

- Compliance Service of the Year: Fund Domicile

The winning service provider will be able to show expertise in navigating the complex regulatory landscapes – within their own jurisdictions and others – giving fund managers a clear understanding of opportunities and limitations.

- Compliance Service of the Year: Overall

As the private equity landscape expands and diversifies, and new regulations come into consideration, fund managers rely on this service to ensure their growth strategies remain scalable and compliant. The winning service provider will be able to show expertise in this field.

- Regulatory & Compliance Firm of the Year

This winning firm will be an expert in regulatory compliance, providing essential guidance to navigate complex regulations within relevant jurisdictions.

- Regulatory & Compliance Technology of the Year

This winning technology solution simplifies regulatory compliance, providing efficient, reliable tools to meet evolving requirements.

RECRUITMENT

- Executive Search Firm of the Year

This winning firm will show success in delivering top-tier talent solutions that align with client growth and leadership needs across the financial industry.

- Recruitment Company of the Year: Investor Relations & Asset Raising

This award celebrates a recruitment firm’s ability to source top talent in investor relations and capital raising, supporting client growth and capital initiatives.

- Recruitment Company of the Year: Operations & Finance

This award recognises a recruitment firm’s success in securing top talent for operational and financial roles, driving client efficiency and growth.

TECHNOLOGY

- Cloud Services Provider of the Year

The winning CSP should understand the needs and challenges of fund managers. Entrants should consider outlining their infrastructure's security and reliability. What features and services do you provide that set you apart from your competitors?

- Cyber Security Solution of the Year

With cyberattacks becoming ever more sophisticated, the winning service provider in this category will be exceptional in risk detection and management. This firm will have a variety of market leading approaches to safeguard their clients from data breaches.

- New Solution Provider of the Year

The winning service provider, new to the market, will demonstrate innovative capabilities and proficiency in delivering impactful solutions that address industry challenges.

- Secure Work-flow Management Provider of the Year

This category will reward a service provider’s ability to deliver secure workflow management solutions, enhancing operational security and compliance.

- Technology Innovation of the Year

This category rewards breakthrough technology that drives impactful change in the industry, demonstrating exceptional innovation and client value.

OPERATIONS

- Forex Solution of the Year

This winning solution will demonstrate exceptional efficiency, innovation, and reliability in facilitating seamless foreign exchange transactions and risk management.

- Middle Office Service of the Year

This winning middle-office service provider will excel in enhancing operational efficiency, risk management, and compliance for investment firms.

- Portfolio Management System of the Year

This category rewards a system that enhances portfolio management, offering comprehensive capabilities for diverse investment strategies.

- Solution Provider of the Year: Start-up

This award celebrates an innovative solution for start-ups that enables creativity, impact, and long-term success.

- Strategic Intelligence Provider of the Year

This award will go to the service provider with proven excellence in delivering strategic intelligence, supporting clients with actionable insights for a competitive advantage.

- Tax Advisory Firm of the Year

This category recognises a tax advisory firm’s expertise in offering tailored, efficient tax strategies that optimise client outcomes.

The manager award categories include European based single-manager and multi-manager funds.

Nominations for all categories are based on numbers reported during the last 12-month period from 1st January – 31st December, 2024.

Private Equity final performance awards are based on the highest performing net IRRs and money multiple returns based on the latest available data in the 12-month period under review.

Private Equity fund raising awards are based on capital raised based in the 12-month period under review.

Entrants will be asked to provide (including but not limited to)*:

•Vintage/inception year

•Strategy

•Fund currency

•Fund size

•Called capital

•Net IRR

•Net multiple

•Factsheet

•Strategy presentation or pitchbook

*The above information will be treated as confidential and will only be shared with the Private Equity Wire review board and the advisory board.

The shortlist and winners will be selected based on entries and performance data gathered from industry data sources.

Please note that these awards are FREE to enter.

*Deadline to submit your entries is 10th January 2025*

PERFORMANCE (OVERALL)

To qualify for this category, managers must fit the following criteria:
• Closed fund and either investing or harvesting capital
• The fund must have called at least 50% of capital

- Performance of the Year: Buyout

- Performance of the Year: Co-Invest

- Performance of the Year: Direct Lending

- Performance of the Year: Distressed Debt

- Performance of the Year: Fund of Fund

- Performance of the Year: Growth

- Performance of the Year: Mezzanine Debt

- Performance of the Year: RE Debt

- Performance of the Year: Real Asset

- Performance of the Year: Secondaries

- Performance of the Year: Special Situations

- Performance of the Year: VC Debt

- Performance of the Year: Venture

FUND RAISING (OVERALL)

To qualify for this category, managers must fit the following criteria:
• Have closed a new fund raise in the last calendar year (1st January, 2024 to 31st December, 2024).

- Overall Fund Raising of the Year: Buyout

- Overall Fund Raising of the Year: Co-Invest

- Overall Fund Raising of the Year: Fund of Funds

- Overall Fund Raising of the Year: Growth

- Overall Fund Raising of the Year: Real Asset

- Overall Fund Raising of the Year: Secondaries

- Overall Fund Raising of the Year: Special Situations

- Overall Fund Raising of the Year: Venture

- Overall Fund Raising of the Year: Direct Lending

- Overall Fund Raising of the Year: Distressed Debt

- Overall Fund Raising of the Year: Mezzanine Debt

- Overall Fund Raising of the Year: RE Debt

- Overall Fund Raising of the Year: VC Debt

PERFORMANCE (EMERGING)

To qualify for this category, emerging managers must fit the following criteria:
• Have raised no more than 3 funds in the series/range
• Management firm be less than 5 years old
• The fund must have called at least 50% of capital
• Closed fund and either investing or harvesting capital

- Emerging Performance of the Year: Buyout

- Emerging Performance of the Year: Co-invest

- Emerging Performance of the Year: Direct Lending

- Emerging Performance of the Year: Distressed Debt

- Emerging Performance of the Year: Fund of Funds

- Emerging Performance of the Year: Growth

- Emerging Performance of the Year: Mezzanine Debt

- Emerging Performance of the Year: RE Debt

- Emerging Performance of the Year: Real Asset

- Emerging Performance of the Year: Secondaries

- Emerging Performance of the Year: Special Situations

- Emerging Performance of the Year: VC Debt

- Emerging Performance of the Year: Venture

FUND RAISING (EMERGING)

To qualify for this category, managers must fit the following criteria:
• Have closed a new fund raise in the last calendar year (1st January, 2024 to 31st December, 2024).

• Have raised no more than 3 funds in the series/range

• Management firm be less than 5 years old

- Emerging Fund Raising of the Year: Buyout

- Emerging Fund Raising of the Year: Co-Invest

- Emerging Fund Raising of the Year: Fund of Funds

- Emerging Fund Raising of the Year: Growth

- Emerging Fund Raising of the Year: Real Asset

- Emerging Fund Raising of the Year: Secondaries

- Emerging Fund Raising of the Year: Special Situations

- Emerging Fund Raising of the Year: Venture

- Emerging Fund Raising of the Year: Direct Lending

- Emerging Fund Raising of the Year: Distressed Debt

- Emerging Fund Raising of the Year: Mezzanine Debt

- Emerging Fund Raising of the Year: RE Debt

- Emerging Fund Raising of the Year: VC Debt

How do I nominate my firm? (Manager Awards)

How do I nominate my firm? (Service Provider Awards)

Please provide the relevant information here in your nomination application. Shortlisted firms will be contacted in the week commencing 23rd December 2025.

Business Overview :Share a brief description of your firm (up to 100 words).

Award Case: Submit a compelling case (250 words or fewer) outlining why your service deserves an award for the period from January 2024 to December 2024.

Optional Support: Include a client testimonial or upload any supporting documents that enhance your submission.

To find out more about the nomination and voting process, contact us at events@privateequitywire.co.uk

Is there a cost to nominate my firm or my peers?

What is the deadline for nominations?

When will I find out if I’m shortlisted?

How are winners decided?

When do the awards take place?

How can I get a ticket to attend?

Can I sponsor the Awards?

FAQS